The solar energy industry isn’t the struggling newcomer it used to be.

As the solar industry grows and serves more and more electricity consumers, its impact on and integration into existing grids and systems renders it a key part of our electricity-generation-and-distribution system.

By 2050, solar will be a major source of the world’s power, according to research from MIT and the Institute for Research and Technology (ITT) at Comillas University in Spain. But the same research pointed out that energy grids worldwide are not prepared for the future of solar energy.

For the first time in history, solar as a business model has set a record for being cost effective. The market opportunity is significant as solar has demonstrated returns on ROI in multiple markets around the world. Solar could soon become the least expensive power on earth.

Observers of the clean-energy industry note coming changes or already occurring changes under the new Trump administration. The availability of federal resources in support of clean-energy technology and projects may be impacted.

The solar industry has reached a never-before-seen point of maturation, while continuing to evolve at an accelerated pace. The need for resource-sharing, and open dialogue is more important than ever before.